Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-25
FOR Love, NOT RICHES.
BY MRS. H. n. DARrE1L.

HI td6G CA{iSS6 Giilu opCSulus lulVuSA
some of the lovelicet New England scenery
was carrying Mile MAYHEM home to spend
the Summer vacation. Two gushing
young ladies occupied a seat quite near
Miilic, and IL worry plainly-dressed, silent
Young gentleman occupied the seat beside
her.
The coach having been somewhat
crowded when she entered he had kindly
offered to share his seat with her.
From the conversation of the young
ladies. which they unavoidably overheard,
their way.to visit an aunt who lived in the
village adjoining Miles home.
II think / shall be delighted with the
place" commented one of the young
ladies'.
ooh, no doubt about that, providing you
tind Unexpectedly charming place-Laurel
Grove coming into your possession"
tauntincly retorted the other.
Now. Kate Vaine, you know that you
are only jealous because you are afraid
that you wont succeed in catching John
Fletcher yourself"
ooh, come now, sister .Rit, you need not
fly off Jake that. You know I'm not the
least bit jealous. l am only going to try to
outshine yon. to pay you off for some of
the mean tricks you have played on me. l
think I'd not want to marry that horrid old
rake. LATE Armstrong says that he is
awful fast; q reckless s%pendthrift, and ex-
travagantly fond of gambling" Kate in
formed her sister.
what do care for what Lafe Armstrong
sayss You know a man is expected to
leave off some Of his fast habits and settle
down when he marries."
"Oh,a hope he is handsome, gallant, and
all that" exclaimed Kit. bctraying a strange
min Ol5nn rf ycra4ir, nol ;,,to1ocf
The above conversation was carried on
III boafding-school French, and just at this
point Mile leaned over their seat, and, in
the same dialect addressed them:
Pardon NE, ladies. but permit ME to in
form you that you have been misinformed
with regard to Mr.. Eietcher's character.
And don't You think that it would be more
prudent. not to say charitable, o to make
comments so publicly on persons to whom
you are strangers evidently"
What is tie gentleman to you?" dis
.cretly inquired dauntless Rithilda.
"a very near neighbor. Miss" with a
shaughtiness that had something like mis-
chief in it, which q close observer might
have noticed.
This Response had the effect of a cold
water dOuche on the spirits of the fair
schemers. They sat in silence until the
train reached the next station, where they
abruptly left the coach.
Chen you are a neighbor of this Won
derful MIR. Fletcher" asked the hitherto
silent gentleman beside Millie. perhaps
you are able to give me a little information
with regard to him, That may benefit me-"
"Me? No! Oh, no! I-Idon't mind tell
ing you, though; you look honest. I have
not the honor Of that worthy gentleman's
acquaintance, and know as little about him
as you do, perhaps. 1 only know that
years and years ago he purchased Laurel
Grove, but has never lived there, yet he has
had it improved wonderfully, md it is n
most delightfully."- lovely place. I wish it
Were %my;home."
"'Tben may Inquire why you SO y~aliantly
defended one who is IN entire stranger to
your"
.Oh, the truth is-and 1 may as we'll W
it don't like the style Of those girls,
and the-is suppose rather u~ngracious-de-
sire to snub their vanity and behold their
chagrin became irresistible. He may be
oil they picture him; but I don't believe
it, decidedly.
"And why don't You believe it?"
"Well, he is II cousin or something to the
Vandarzens. Of Statlord-people of cul-
turc, refinement, and Of high standing in
s~ociety-and they speak of him in the
highest terms, papa says"
III kQhC C0pO !yOO 1uISuV UuIouluc luO6c
other ladies and gain the Laurels for u
homo, quizZically.
"Un, mercy!no! could never do tnat!"
blushingg, and looking a little confused for
"A moment.
"Why nota Don't you think you are
pretty %enough?. with mirth in his deep,
rich, %resonant voice.
"No, net that. e did not think of that.
But then, I'm O SO very horrid looking,
am II" with O saucy witchery in her
manner
aOh, no. Think you are quite pretty"
"Well, that settles that point, then. But,
do Won know that. although I like to be
pretty. I don't SO much care for a beautiful
face as for q beautiful hearth" a shade of
:thoughtfulness oyerspreading her counte-
nance as she moralized, and with a pretty,
sweet grace the words fell from her cherry
ripe lips.
Beauty of the face or form may vanish;
but that of the heart never will, and Will
continue to grow Us long as we cultivate
it"
Her companion locked a little puzzled,
and silence reigned for some moments;
then she continued: II could never marry
a handsome man if he We're not good, too.
Besides, l abhor old bachelors-the reason
Y could not think of marrying the owner
of the Laurels. He must be pretty old now.
1 was only six when he wps here. Oh, my!
I would rather marry his gardener or
steward. if he were q nice young man, and
I loved him."
"That is strange. Yet I am glad you
said that. But do you not think that that
would be a misalliance?" questioned he,
while Just the suspicion of a twinkle linked
IN the depths OF his dark eyes.
what is strange? That 1 would rather
~, " a MIN moor man bncauan ha ic youpO
and I loved him than a stupid old bachelor
for his wealth? OF course it would not be
a misallianceif he were worthy"
mo, not just that. I should have said
the coincidence is strange; l am the Stew
ard of the Laurels."
"Oh!" and she broke out into a low,
merry, silvery laugh, while o faint flush
,overspread her face.
Then we are to be neighbors," she re-
marked, interestedly.
";yas, I am happy to know"